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Coverage Recap: Vardaman 49 | Ethel 0

The storylines did not change much on Friday night.

The Vardaman Rams (5-2, 3-1) continued their recent winning ways over the Ethel Tigers (0-7, 0-5) to the tune of a 49-0 blowout. Vardaman was led by a dominant defensive performance and bursts of success by their offensive stars.

Vardaman’s Michael Williams scored on the second play from scrimmage on a carry, and the Rams never looked back. Vardaman led the Tigers 28-0 at the end of the first quarter and by the same margin at halftime. The Rams played a backup-filled offense in the second and third quarters to give their starters a rest before facing division-leading Nanih Waiya next week.

Vardaman star running back Patrick Pratt found the end zone three times on Friday, once on a reception and twice on the ground. In addition to Pratt, quarterback Trae Owen found Michael Williams for his other passing touchdown on the evening. Kody Townsend joined the scoring parade in the 4th quarter as he punched into the end zone on the ground and returned a punt for a touchdown.

For Ethel, things were not easy on either side of the ball. Save for the times when Vardaman’s offense was filled with backup players, the Tiger defense had no answer for the Rams’ attacks. The front-seven managed to pressure Owen on occasion, but Owen’s running ability saved him from being sacked in most of those instances.

Offensively, Ethel could never find a rhythm. The Tigers did not convert a first down until the 2nd quarter and failed to score the two times they found themselves in the red zone. Make no mistake, however. The Tigers are fast and athletic. They just have work to do before they can be a successful football team. Junior quarterback Akeem Erving is especially impressive but will have to rally his team around him if he wants to lead the Tigers to new heights next season.

Next week, Vardaman is back at home for the first time in a month as they play host to the undefeated Nanih Waiya Warriors. Ethel will travel French Camp Academy (who has given Vardaman their only region loss to this point) to continue divisional play.